Automatic feed water control



June 20, 1933. J Q BURFQRD 1,915,013

AUTOMATIC FEED WATER CONTROL Filed May 51, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l ff- 3 J1 INVENTOR 1 5672165- 6. fizarford ATTORNEY June 20, 1933. J. c. BURFORD AUTOMATIC FEED WATER CONTROL Filed May 51, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEEEEEE-um RmE-U N ML MJE G C Q? INVENTOR @7296 [fizzy/bra MVZ- WITNESS W 4 ATTORN EY June '20, 1933. .1. c. BURFORD' AUTOMATIC FEED WATER CONTROL Filed May 31, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w W m n u m5 @m ATTORNEY Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES iliana Parent GFFEQE JAIv'IES C. BURFOR-D, OF WINSTON SALE-M, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR- 01 ONE-FOURTH TO THOMAS H. DAVIS AND ONE-FOURTH TO AMBROSE P. HUNLEY, BOTH OF WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA AUTOMATIC FEED WATER CONTROL Application filed May 31,

My invention relates to feed water controls for use in controlling the feeding of water to boilers more particularly for use in controlling the feeding of water to the boilers of locomotives and the like, and it consists in the combinations, arrangements and constructions herein shown and described.

In some locomotives the feed water is heated by the exhaust steam coming from the cylinders which makes it necessary to inject the water into the boiler only at the time the engine is being worked and consequently supplying exhaust steam. Since the locomotive works intermittently and the supply of the exhaust steam varies from Zero to a maximum, at times within short periods, the feed water control must be operated to vary the supply of feed water accordingly to assure proper feeding of the water. This means that the pump which supplies water to the heater and the boiler cannot be operated by merely starting and stopping the same but must be made to operate slowly and rapidly in accordance with he variations in the amount of exhaust steam supplied. It is therefore a primary purpose of my invention to provide an automatic feed water control for particular use in locomotives which will automatically vary the supply of water to the boiler in accordance with the supply of exhaust steam, occasioned by the use of the steam in the boiler, thereby eliminatingthe necessity of any manual handling of the supply of water in the locomotive boiler from one terminal to another.

A further object of my invention is to provide an automatic feed water control for particular use in locomotives which will give a signal to an operator if for any reason the feed water control is not operating properly, which faulty operation may be occasioned by leakage in the control tank of the feed water heater and associated parts or because of a leaky packing ring, delivery pipe, etc. or for some other reason.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is adapted to carry out its functions on a locomotive or in any other heating system 1930. Serial No. 453,255.

whether the water be preheated by an inector or by any other conventional means.

A further ob ect of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which by means of its particular arrangement is adapted to perform its functions properly whether the locomotive is running on the level, up hill, or down hill, around curves, or otherwise carrying out its natural func tions.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which has few parts, is simple to manufacture and does not get out of order easily.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds and the invention will be more particularly defined in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Figure l is a schematic representation of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation ot the mechanical portion of the invention;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the mechanical portion of the device; and

Figure l is a sectional view on line l4. of Figure 2.

In carrying out my invention, 1 have described the device as installed upon an ordinary locomotive having a feed water pump (not shown). In Figure 1., I show a steam pipe 1 including a steam throttle 2 which may be of any suitable or conventional construction and which is actuated by the bar It is by means of this steam throttle valve 2 that I control the flow oi? the water into the boiler in accordance with the amount of steam exhausted during the operation of the locomotive with a consequent decrease of the supply of water within the boiler.

For operating the valve 2 to vary the amount of water fed into the boiler in accordance with the extent of the operation of the locomotive, I utilize a tank l which is connected 'ith the boiler by a suitable conduit at to provide a water level in this tank l which will vary in accordance with the supply of water in the boiler. In order that the water level in said tank will not be varied to any great extent during the uphill and downhill movements of the engine the same is positioned at the longitudinal center thereof.

The pipe 4a connecting this tank to'the boiler 4 is positioned preferably at the transverse center of both the tank and the boiler, so that the water level in the tank will not be affected when the locomotive rounds curves or banks for other reasons. A suitable pipe 1?) connects the space above the water level in this tank with the steam above the boiler level in the boiler, thereby equalizing the pressure throughout the fluids.

To the tank 4 at 5 is connected a conductor which communicates with terminal 6 of a generator 7 for cooperation through the body of water in the tank with a series of contacts 8, 9, 10 and 11 which may consist of any desired number to perform various switching operations to control the action of the valve 2 in accordance with the water level in the tank. It will be noted that these contacts 8, 9, 10 and 11 are positioned at dilferent levels relative to the body of water in the tank. This arrangement is provided for a purpose that Wlll soon appear.

The contacts 8, 9, 10 and 11 are connected as appears most clearly in Figure 1 to a corresponding series of double pole pole-changing relays 12, 13, 14 and 15 having armatures 16 and 17, 18 and 19, 20 and 21, and 22 and 23, respectively, which perform the pole-changing switching operations between contacts 2%t and 25 and 26 and 27; 2S and 29, 30 and 31; 32 and 33, 3% and 35; and 36 and 37, 38 and. 39, respectively. The circuit is completed from the relays 12, 13, 1+ and 15 by means of the line 41-0 connected to said relays and to the terminal 41 of generator 7 through line 42. As can. be easily understood energization of the circuit, due to the contact of water with any of the contacts 8, 9, 10 and 11, will elevate the armatures associated with the respective relays controlled by said contacts, thereby reversing the poles in the circuits controlled by the contacts 21- to inclusive, by means of the armatures of the relays 12 to 15 inclusive. The armatures 16 to 23, inclusive, are energized from the generator by means that will later be described.

The contacts 8, 9, 10 and 11 are provided with cylindrical shields 13 to 426 inclusive, as shown most clearly in Figure 2. These shields have small perforations therein which permit the water to flow into connection with the contacts when the shields and contacts are below the water level, but pre vent energizationof said contacts by the splashing of water thereon during the movements of the locomotive.

For controlling the movements of the motor 17 which actuates the throttle valve 2 controlling the supply of water furnished to the boiler by the feed water pump so that said motor will operate to a greater or lesser extent in accordance with the supply of water in the boiler and also the tank 4. I utilize a selector switch, generally indicated at 48, which may be of any suitable construction adapted to perform the desired functions, but which is shown as comprising a cylindrical drum 19 mounted for rotation in a frame 50 and having a plurality of contacts 51 to 62 inclusive thereon. The number of contacts utilized will vary accordingly as a greater or smaller number of associated pole-changing relays comprising the armatures 16 to 23 are used.

It will be noted that these contacts 51 to 62 inclusive, occur in pairs and that they are placed on said cylindrical member 49 so that no set of contacts, with the exception of contacts 61 and 62, are peripherally coincident with any other set of contacts. This arrangement is adopted for reasons that are readily apparent.

It will be seen that the contacts 51 and 52 are connected to the lower poles 24 and 25 of the switch controlled by relay 12 while the next adjacent pair of contacts 53 and 54 are connected to the upper pole 26 and 27 of the switch controlled by relay 12 and that these contacts 53 and are connected to their associated contacts 26 and 27 in a reverse fashion to the connection between contacts 51 and 52 and their associated contacts 24 and It will further be noted that contacts 53 and 54 are also connected to the lower contacts 28 and 29 of the switch controlled by relay 13 in the same order that contacts 51 and are connected to contacts 2st and 25, while the contacts 55 and 56 are connected to the upper contacts 30 and 31 of the switch controlled by relay 13 in a reverse fashion or in the same order as the interconnection between contacts 53 and 54 and contacts 26 and 27. This arrangement is continued throughout the entire system and performs the reversing operation of the motor.

For association with the contacts 51 to 62 inclusive to complete the circuit therethrough I provide the series of stationarily positioned contacts 63 to 74, inclusive, which are in number equal to the corresponding series of contacts 51 to. 62. It will be noted that the alternates of these contacts 63 to 74 inclusive, are connected to the lines 75 andv 76 which I call the motor reversing or motor starting. leads. These lines are connected to the field of the motor which in the embodiment shown is a motor operated by direct current. A solenoid 77 to control the armature 78 of a circuit breaker 79 is positioned in line 7 5 to cut out the motor upon deenergization of the lines and 76. This is accomplished by the release of the armature 78 by the solenoid 77 upon said deenergization and the consequent breaking of a circuit through motor leads 80 and 81 which connect to the armature (not shown) of the motor e7. These motor leads 80 and 81 are energized and comprised in the circuit of the generator 7' as readily appears in Figure 1.

For actuating the throttle valve 2 from the motor 47 as well as for synchronizing the movements of the selector switch 48 with the movements of said motor and the extent of operation of the throttle valve 2, I provide a system of gearing, generally indicated at 82 which may consist of ordinary gears, belts, pulleys or any other suitable arrangement but which is shown as comprising a pinion 83 poistioned on the shaft 8% of the motor 47 and adapted for rotating a gear 85, which rotates a shaft 86 having poistioned thereon a screw 87 and worm 88 for controlling the movements of the valve 2 and the selector switch 418 respectively. I

The screw 87 cooperates with a nut- 89 which is swivelly connected by the means shown at 90 to a link 91 secured by means of a link 93 to a bracket 92 which may be fixed by any suitable means but which is shown as fixed to the pipe 1. This link 91 is pivoted to the valve actuating rod 3 as appears at 9 1.

The worm 88 is geared to the drum 49 of the selector switch 48 for rotation thereof by means of a worm wheel 95 integral with the horizontally positioned shaft 96 which mounts for rotation therewith another worm 97 for rotation of the worm wheel 98 which rotates the drum 49.

For starting and stopping the teed-water pump control in synchronism with the open and shut positions of the throttle, which controls the operation of the locomotive with consequent control of the exhaust of the steam resulting from said operation I pro vide a double contact switch, generally indicated at 99, adapted for operation by a throttle 100 of a locomotive. This switch 99 comprises a resilient switching member 101 having the switching arms 102 and 103 included in the circuit of generator 7 by means of wires 10% and 105, respectively. This switclr ing member 101 is adapted to connect the generator 1 to the armatures 16 to 28 inclusive by means of the contacts 106 and 107 operating through lines 108 and 109, respectively, in one of the operative positions while in. the other operative position the switch memher 101 is adapted to connect the generator 7 to the lines 110 and 111 by means of contacts 112 and 113, respectively. hen the throttle lever 114 is in the position as shown in Fig. 1 the switch member 101 is in contact with the switch contacts 106 and 107 to energize the lines 108 and 109. When the throttle lever 11 1 is moved to a position opposite that shown in Figure 1, the switch. member 101 breaks the connection between the generator and contacts 106 and 107 and energizes lines 110 and 111 by means of contacts 112 and 113 respectively. As will be later described this operation reverses the direction of rotation of the motor to move the same to a stop position to close the valve throttle 2.

For sounding an alarm or signal to the operator of the feed water heater controlled by my feed water control means upon the failure of a proper supply of water to be maintained in the feed water heater and associated parts for a successful operation of my control, I provide the means generally indicated at 115. This means consists of a bell 116 or any other suitable or desired signal. which may be positioned in the cab of a locomotive if my device is used on a locomotive or at some other appropriate place if the same is desired by the operator. This bell or other signal is operated by power taken from the lines 116 and 4-2 by means of the connect-ion 117 running from one of the terminals 118 of said signal to line 12, as indicated at 119 and a connection 120 running from the other terminal 121 of the hell or other signal 116 through a re lay 122 and through the line 117 by the connection indicated at 123. The relay 122 is powered from the lines 42 and 116 by means of a cut-in on line 117 as indicated at 12 1 and by means of a contact 125 positioned in the water of the tank 1 through said water in tank 1 through line 117 to line 116. The relay. it is to be observed, is normally in open or inoperative position breaking the connection between the power source and the signal.

A main switch 1.28 in the circuit of the generator permits the same to be cut out when the device is not in use.

The circuits comprised in the apparatus are as follows: The double-pole pole-changing relay circuit, the motor-reversing circuit, the motor-stopping circuit, the motorpower circuit, and the signal circuit.

The double pole polechanging relay circuit runs from terminal 6 of generator 7 through switch 128, line 116, line 117, terminal 5 through the water to contacts 8, 9, 10 and 11 through the relays 12, 18, 14 and 15, respectively, the line 10, line 12, terminal 41, and generator 7.

The motor-reversing circuit comprises the contact 6 of generator 7 switch 128, line 116, line 105, switch arm 1023, contact 106, line 108, armatures 17, 19, 21 and 23, contacts 53, 55, 57 and 59, associated contacts 65, 67, 69 and 71, respectively, line 76, motor 17, solenoid of the circuit breaker 77, line 75, contacts 66, 68, 70 and 72 and associated contacts 51, 56, 58 and 60, respectively, contacts 26, 30, 31 and 38, associated armatures 16, 18, 20 and 22, respectively, line 109, contact 167, sv-fitch arm 102, line 101, line 12, terminal 11, and generator 7. The current in this circuit oi course is reversed at the double-pole pole-changing relays 12 to 15 when the water is below the contacts 8 to 11.

The motor stopping circuit con'iprises generator 7, terminal 6, switch 128, line 116, line 105, switch arm 1633, contact 113, line 111, selector contact 61, associated contact 73, line 76, motor 17, line 75, solenoid 77 of the circuit breaker 79, contact 71, contact 62, line 110, contact 112, arm 102, switch 101, line 12, switch 128, terminal 11 and generator 7.

The motor power circuit comprises generator 7, terminal 6, line 116, switch 128, motor armature lead 81, motor 17, motor armature lead 80, arm 78 of circuit breaker 79, line 12, terminal 11 and generator 7.

The signal. circuit comprises generator 7, connection 11, switch 128, connect-ion 117, signalling device 116, connection 120, relay contactor arm 122, connection 126, wire 117, line 116, switch 128, terminal 6 and generator 7. The relay circuit 01 the signal includes the circuit of the generator-to line 117 as heretofore set forth, a cut-in 121, the coil of the solenoid of the relay 122, connection 127, contact 125, water in tank 1, tank 1, line 117, line 116, switch 128, and generator 7.

From the foregoing descrnption, the use and operation of my device is easily understood. The apparatus is set up as hereto fore described, and the main switch 128 is thrown in contact for energization of the various circuits.

When the water in the boiler is at a suflicient height to maintain the water level in tank 1 above the contacts 8 to 11, inclusive, and the throttle is in opened position as shown in Figure 1, the relays 12 to 15 in elusive are energized through the doublepole pole-changing relay circuit. This positions the armatures 16 to 23 ot' the relays 12 to 15 inclusive of the motor-leversing circuit in the upper position as shown which would tend to send the current through the contacts 53 to inclusive. The current fails to flow through said contacts however for they are not in engagement with their associated contacts to 72 inclusive. ln this position of the device the motor is in a closed position and at a stand still due to the lack of energization of the motor reversing and operating circuit. It will be noted that in this position the contacts 51 and 52 are the only ones in engagement with their associated contacts such as the contacts 63' and 61. No energization of this circuit takes place however through these contacts because of the break in the circuit at terminals 21 and 25 due to the elevation of armatures 16 and 17.

\Vhen the water level in the boiler falls due to the usage of steam from said boiler and it is desired to utilize the steam from the exhaust for the teed-water pump to heat an additional supply of water for the boiler, the water level in tank 1 will fall until it is between contacts 8 and 9. This deenergizes relay 12, leaving the double pole, polechanging relay circuit complete through rclays 13, 11 and 15 and through associated contacts 9 to 11, respectively. At this stage the armatures 16 and 17 will drop down to engage contacts 21 and 25 thus passing current to contacts 51 and 52 on the selector switch. The circuit is then completed through the motor by means oi contacts 63 and 61 respectively, and; their associated lines 76 and 75 with the current first flowing altmg line 75. \Vhen the current flows in this direction in line 75 it energizes the field of the motor 17 reversely from the energization when the current flows first along line 76 to cause rotation of said motor in a valve opening position. Of course when the solenoid 77 in line 75 is energized the motor-power circuit is energized to make the motor operate.

This movement of the valve throttle to partially opened position by means of the actuation of the motor 17 also causes rotation of the drum 19 of the selector switch 18 in synchronism with the movement of the valve. This operation moves contacts 51 and 52 out of engagement with their associated contacts 63 and 61, res )ectively and brings the contacts 53 and 51 on the selector drum into contact with their associated stationary contacts 65 and 66, respectively. At this point the motor stops because the lines 75 and 76 are deenergized. No electricity is transmitted thereto by the contacts 55 to 60 because they are not in engagement with their associated contacts 67 to 72; no electricity is sent along the lines 75 and 76 by means of contacts 53 and 51 because of the breach occurring at the contacts 28 and 29 due to elevation of arms 18 and 19, and because the arms 16 and 17 are in the lowered position due to the water level being between contacts 8 and 9, and no electrical energy is transmitted to lines 75 to 76 by way of contacts 51 and 52 though the circuit is not broken at the relay because contacts 51 and 52 have ridden out of engagement with their associated contacts 63 and 61, respectively.

' If the engineer continues to use steam faster than the same is supplied by the water from the feed-water pump when the throttle valve 2, is opened, the level in the tank 4 will drop between contacts 9 and 10 whereupon the operation just described in regard to contacts 8 andv 9 will be repeated, thus actuatingthe motor to a position of greater partial opening of the throttle valve 2.

Upon the lowering of the water level in tank at below the contact 11, the motor will remain stationary in the full open throttle valve position.

If the water level in tank t continues to be lowered, due to improper operation of the feed water heater control with a consequent lack of an additional supply of water to the boiler, or due to leakage from tank 1 or ssociated parts of the boiler or for other reasons until it passes beyond the contact 125, the relay 122 will become deenergized because of the breach in the circuit existing between contact 125 and the water in tank 4, thereby closing the alarm circuit through said relay to sound the alarm 116 indicating to the operator that the system is out of order, thus enabling said operator to remedy the trouble for subsequent operation of the control. Of course, when the water in the tank rises to cover said contact 125, the alarm will cease to be given.

hen the water level in this tank 4 rises to engage contact 11, the armatures 22 and 23 of relay will be elevated as shown to send the current of the motor reversing circuit through contacts 38 and 89, contacts and 59 and their associated contacts 72 and 71 with the current flowing first along the line 76 to the motor and from the motor along line 75, this being the reverse of the direction of current when the armatures 23 and 22 are in the lowered position, in which case current flows through line to the motor and from the motor by line 76, thereby reversing the direction oi flow of the current through the field of the D. C. motor, reversing said motor. This reversal of the motor operates the valve 2 to a valve closing position and also reverses the direction of rotation of the drum 19. Upon further rising of the water level, the circuits comprising the remaining relays 14, 13 and 12 are similarly energized bringing about a reversal of the motor and moving the valve 2 to a more nearly closed position upon ener-' gization of each of said relays, until when the water reaches the level shown in Figure 1 the motor has been moved to full valve closing position.

It the throttle is moved to the closed position by the engineer when the selector is in any position in which the contacts below the contacts 51 and 52 on the drum are in engagement with their associated stationary contacts, the motor-stopping circuit will be energized by means of the switch 99, through arms 102 and 103 of the switch member, con- '62 and 61 and their associated contacts 74 and 73, lines 76 and 75 with the current flowing through line 76 to the motor and through line 75 from the motor thereby operating said motor to a valve-closing position. This operation continues until the motor operates the valve to fully closed position be ruse of the elongated peripheral extent of contacts 61 and 62.

It is thus seen that I have provided a feed water control which is particularly adapted for use on locomotives wherein an automatic control is desired for feeding the water in proportion to the supply ofsteam occasioned by the use to which the heating system is put.

It may also be easily seen that my device is adapted for eflicient operation in all of the usual positions and under all the ordinary conditions of operation of locomotives.

I claim:

1. In a feed water control system, a Water reservoir, a steam boiler connected therewith, means for controlling the flow of steam fromsaid boiler, a motor for operating said controlling means and adapted for reversal upon reversal of electric current flowing therethrough, a selector switch for controlling the movements of said motor and means operative through said selector switch for reversing the direction of movement of said motor comprising a series of double pole changing relays adapted for energization and de-energization in synchronism with the exhaust of liquid from the boiler and change of liquid level in said water reservoir.

2. In a feed water control system, a water reservoir, a steam boiler connected therewith, means for controlling the flow of steam from said boiler, an electric means for operating said controlling means to the open and shut positions, a selector switch for coi'itrolling the movements of said electric means, means operative through said selector switch for energizing and Clo-energizing said switch in synchronism with the exhaust of liquid from the boiler, and means operative through said selector switch for positioning said switch to operate said motor to move said controlling means to the closed position when the exhaust of steam from the boiler is arrested.

In a feed water controlsystem, a water reservoir, a steam boiler connected therewith, electrically operated means for controlling the flow of steam from said boiler, a series of relays adapted for energization of circuits controlling the operation of said controlling:

stages of operation in accordance with the water level in said reservoir.

4. In ateed water control system, electrically operated means for controlling the How of steam from said boiler, a series of relays adapted for energization of circuits controlling the operation of said electrically operated steam controlling means to various stages of its open and shut positions, and means for the energization of said relays to move said electrically operated steam controlling means through the various stages of operation, comprising an auxiliary water tank connected with the boiler to maintain a water level variable in accordance with the water level in said boiler, a contact with a source of electrical current supply in its circuit positioned in said water, and a series of contacts connected to said relays for the operation thereof and positioned at different levels in said auxiliary tank for energization and de-energization upon contact with the water in said tank.

5. In a feed water control system, electrically operated means for controlling the flow of steam from said boiler, a series of relays adapted for the energization of circuits controlling the operation of said electrically operated steam controlling means to various stages of its open and shut positions, means for the energization of said relays to move said electrically operated steam controlling means through various stages of o xn-ation, comprising an auxiliary water tank connected with the boiler to maintain a water level variable in accordance with the water level in said boiler, a contact with a source of electrical current supply in its circuit positioned in said water, and a series of contacts connected to said relays for the operation thereof and positioned at different levels in said auxiliary tank for energization and de-energization upon contact with the water in said tank, said contacts having means positioned thereabout for shielding said contacts against energization due to irregular movements of the water.

6. In a feed water control system, electrically operated means for controlling the flow of steam from said boileiz a series ot relays adapted for the energization of circnits controlling the operation of said clectrically operated steam controlling means to various stages of its open and shut positions, means for the energization of said relays to move said electrically operated steam controlling means through the various stages of operation. comprising an auxiliary water tank connected ith the boiler to maintain a water level variable in accordance with the water level. in said boiler, a contact with a source of electrical current supply positioned in said water, and a series of contacts connected to said relays for the operation thereof and positioned at differadapted to permit energization of said con-' tacts when positioned below the water level.

JAMES C. BURFORD. 

